• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.161-169
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• 2014

We present the results of an experimental physical weathering study that focuses on fresh and slightly weathered gneiss samples from the Wonju area of Korea. The study investigated changes in the physico-mechanical properties of these samples during accelerated laboratory-based weathering, including analyses of microfracture formation. The deteriorated samples used in the study were subjected to 100-150 freeze-thaw cycles, with index properties and microfracture geometries measured between each cycle. Each complete freeze-thaw cycle lasted 24 hours, and consisted of 2 hours of saturation in a vacuum chamber, 8 hours of freezing at $-21^{\circ}C{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, and 14 hours of thawing at room temperature. Specific gravity and seismic velocity values were negatively correlated with the number of freeze-thaw cycles, whereas absorption values tended to increase. The amount of deterioration of the rock samples was dependent on the degree of weathering of the rock prior to the start of the analysis. Absorption, specific gravity, and seismic velocity values can be used to infer the amount of physical weathering experienced by a gneiss in the study area. The sizes and density of microfracture in the rock specimens varied with the number of freeze-thaw cycles. We found that box fractal dimensions can be used to quantify the formation and propagation of microfracture in the samples. In addition, these box fractal dimensions can be used as a weathering index for the mid-and long-term prediction of rock weathering. The present results indicate that accelerated-weathering analysis can provide a detailed overview of the weathering characteristics of deteriorated rocks.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.333-342
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• 2017

In this study, the heterogeneity of internal structure of various igneous rocks acquired in Korea was quantified and correlated with the seismic velocity and the point load strength. Three-dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used to obtain information on the internal structure of the rock specimen, and the representative unit length (LR) was calculated by applying a statistical technique to the CT images. We also proposed an estimation equation to predict the mechanical properties of rocks from the relationship between LR, acoustic velocity and point load strength. In the proposed method, it is shown that the characterization of internal structure of rocks could be utilized as an indirect index to account for the mechanical behavior of rocks by substituting physical laboratory testing for non-destructive test.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2015

The Geochang granite widely used in construction works is one of the most popular dimension stones in Korea. In order to evaluate the physical properties of rock, a lot of laboratory tests for the Geochang granite were conducted to find unit weight, absorption ratio, P wave velocity, S wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, tensile strength, cohesion, friction angle and point load strength index. The uniaxial compressive strength of the Geochang granite was 19.5 times tensile strength and also 8.6 times cohesion, besides P wave velocity was 1.5 times S wave velocity. Correlation analyses were also conducted to find the correlation among 11 different physical properties, where the uniaxial compressive strength showed Pearson correlation coefficient of more than 0.8 with Poisson's ratio, point load strength index and Young's modulus, respectively. Regression analyses were finally conducted by means of both linear and multiple analysis and the brief results including coefficient of determination of more than 0.7 were presented.

• 한국문화재보존과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.84-87
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• 2006

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.177-197
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• 1999

The measurement of sonic velocities is commonly used as an index of engineering properties of rock, but it is not widely appreciated that this velocity can change markedly with the degree of saturation of the sample. This paper records the nature of this variation as seen in samples of Korean granite. The ISRM method of testing suggested for this index can also create difficulties, especially if vaseline is used as a coupling agent, and invades the samples, and if the sample volume changes with degree of saturation. Careful measurements of the natural variation in sonic velocity that occur in a sample whose saturation is gradually increased may be a means of assessing the relic stresses within it.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1999

In the last decade, the supply of natural aggregates has been continuously increased due to the other types of aggregates. In general, aggregates constitute 70-80% of the total volume of concrete, so the quality of aggregates is main factor controlling physical characteristics of concrete. For this reason, physical properties of aggregate according to different rock types were studied. The majority of crushed aggregates is taken out of granite, gneiss, sandstone, andesite, basalt and so forth. The physical properties of these rock types were tested and most of them fell within the acceptable limit on the base of Korean standard regulation. The major lithology of the crushed aggregates is granite and gneiss, both of which are marked for more than 50% of total lithology thpes in Korea. A to the physical properties of granite, the high specific gravity coincides with low porosity, low absorption ratio, while the abrasion and soundness index show, in general, no specific trend. It has been assumed that slight differences of the physical properties of granite aggregates are related with those of the mineral composition, grain size, and so on. In comparison to granite, the physical properties of gneiss have little correlation one after another. This trend is related to different mineral composition, grain size and typical sheet fractures typically prevailing in the texture of gneiss. Spatial pattern of physical properties shows that high specific gravity of granite coincides only with low porosity and absorption ratio in all provinces except Cheolla province, and high specific gravity of gneiss coincides with low porosity and absorption ratio only in Cheolla and Gandwon provinces.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-344
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• 2024

In general tunnel design and analysis, rock masses are often assumed to be isotropic. Under isotropic conditions, material properties are uniform in all directions, leading to a higher evaluation of tunnel stability. However, actual rock masses exhibit anisotropic characteristics due to discontinuities such as joints, bedding planes, and faults, which cause material properties to vary with direction. This anisotropy significantly affects the stress distribution during tunnel excavation, leading to non-uniform deformation and increased risk of damage. Therefore, thorough pre-analysis is essential. This study analyzes the displacement and stress changes occurring during tunnel excavation based on rock anisotropy. A three-dimensional numerical analysis was performed, selecting anisotropy index and dip angles as variables. The results showed that as the anisotropy index increased, the displacement in the tunnel increased, and stress concentration became more pronounced. The maximum displacement and shear stress were observed where the dip planes met the tunnel.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.23-35
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• 2006

Shear load transfer characteristics of rock-socketed drilled shafts were analyzed. The constant normal stiffness (CNS) direct shear tests were performed to identify the major influencing factors of shaft resistance, i.e., unconfined compressive strength, borehole roughness, normal stiffness, initial confining stress, and material properties. Based on the CNS tests, shear load transfer function of drilled shafts in rocks is proposed using borehole roughness and the geological strength index (GSI), which indicates discontinuity and surface condition of rock mass in Hoek-Brown criterion (1997). The proposed load-transfer function was verified by the load test results of seven rock-socketed drilled test shafts subjected to axial loads. Through comparisons of the results of load tests, it is found that the load-transfer function by the present study is in good agreement with the general trend observed by in situ measurements, and thus represents a significant improvement in the prediction of load transfer of drilled shafts.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.5-17
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• 2000

The physical and mechanical properties of the sedimentary rocks deposited in Taegu and Kyongbuk region have been measured in the laboratory and at the field. Four kinds of rocks such as the shale, the mudstone, the siltstone and the sandstone were the object of this study. In sedimentary rock joint, bedding made it impossible to extract cores for uniaxial compressive test. Some correlations between the uniaxial compressive strength and the other characteristic values such as Point load index, Schmidt hammer rebound, Brazilian strength, P-wave velocity and Absorption ratio are made. The chemical and mineral compositions are also investigated by the XRF and XRD analysis. In addition, the weathering grade of rocks are classified by the quantitative indices of Point load index, Schmidt hammer rebound and Absorption ratio.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.1045-1055
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• 2017

Tensile strength is considered key properties for characterizing rock material in engineering project. It is determined by direct and indirect methods. Point load test is a useful testing method to estimate the tensile strengths of rocks. In this paper, the effects of rock shape on the point load index of gypsum are investigated by PFC2D simulation. For PFC simulating, initially calibration of PFC was performed with respect to the Brazilian experimental data to ensure the conformity of the simulated numerical models response. In second step, nineteen models with different shape were prepared and tested under point load test. According to the obtained results, as the size of the models increases, the point load strength index increases. It is also found that the shape of particles has no major effect on its tensile strength. Our findings show that the dominant failure pattern for numerical models is breaking the model into two pieces. Also a criterion was rendered numerically for determination of tensile strength of gypsum. The proposed criteria were cross checked with the results of experimental point load test.